Grand designs are unfolding

Jan.23, 2008


Grand designs are unfolding


THE ISRAELI gesture of "easing" its choking blockade of the Gaza Strip by allowing some fuel to enter the coastal area was so timed that the move could be highlighted during any international or regional debate on the humanitarian crisis that has gripped the Gazans. Obviously, Israel wanted to pre-empt any move to censure it at the UN Security Council and the "easing" of the blockade also helped the US to cite it and defend its "strategic partner" in the Middle East.
The fuel that Israel allowed to be sent to the Gaza Strip on Tuesday does in no way imply any shift in its drive to inflict as much damage to the people of Gaza living under Hamas rule.
The fuel is only a "painkiller" and does not solve the basic problem that has to do with the political and military crisis that followed Israel's rejection of the Hamas-led government that was formed after last year's parliament elections which saw the group gaining a sweeping majority. Beyond that, however, is the root conflict where Israel is determined to impose its version of "peace" on the Palestinians.
Israel claims that the blockade is aimed at pressuring Palestinian resistance groups to halt their rocket attacks against Israeli towns. However, it has sinister objectives and that include the total destruction of Hamas as a political and military body in the Gaza Strip. That is what has been made clear in the disclosure by an Israeli official on Tuesday that the Israeli army has been ordered to destroy Hamas structures in Gaza as part of a three-pronged strategy aimed at toppling the group.
The strategy was reportedly adopted by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defence Minister Ehud Barak during a meeting last week. And we have seen the result already.
The Israeli military launched the plan with the rocketing on Friday of a buiding in Gaza City used by Hamas as its interior ministry. The building was empty at the time, but the strike killed a a nearby building and wounded dozens of others.
What we could expect to see is a continuation of attacks on ministries, police stations, army and government buildings that are used by Hamas in Gaza coupled with air and ground operations.
Israel seems to following the same strategy it tried during its assault on Lebanon's Hizbollah in 2006. It believed that it could deal a severely damaging military blow to Hizbollah, but it had to step back against the unexpected intensity of Hizbollah retaliation.
Of course, the Lebanon situation could not be compared with the crisis in Gaza where the elements at play are different, but it is clear that Israel is determined to have its way in Gaza through military means. and the physical blockade of the territory. And that would mean more suffering and misery for the people of Gaza, with the international community seemingly unable to make any difference.